Simon Hadley was born the 5th day of the 3rd month, 1737, in Mill Creek Hundred, New Castle County, Delaware. After his father Joshua moved to Virginia in about 1748, Simon remained in New Castle County, probably with his grandfather Simon. Simon the grandson married Bridget Foote in the Old Swedes Church, Wilmington, Delaware, on March 8, 1756. She was not a Friend (Quaker), so his grandfather Simon condemned the out-of-unity marriage. Nonetheless, when his grandfather died in 1756, he willed Simon the younger his farm, who remained in New Castle until 1762 or 1763, when he moved to Orange County, North Carolina, to join his mother and brothers and sisters.

Bridget Foote was born on the 17th day of the 4th month, 1732. She is believed to be the daughter of John Foote and Anne Hawkesworth. If that’s true, then she descends from Mayflower ancestry, because there are Footes and Hawkesworths in Connecticut, and at least one line through her mother was on that ship. However, the Foote Family Association does not record her connection to John and Anne in a way that I can find. I have looked everywhere in New Castle and surrounding counties in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey for the Footes, but I have not been able to find John Foote. There are a few Footes in New Castle, who appear to be her contemporaries. They are probably her siblings. Thus I cannot confirm or deny her Mayflower ancestry, at the time of this writing.

After Simon moved to North Carolina, he did not conform to the strictures of the Society of Friends. Quakers did not allow violence, but he joined the Regulators, who were formed in the North Carolina back country to oppose taxes and fees unless government authorities were held to a strict accountability. In 1771 William Tyron, colonial governor of Britain, sent a military force to Alamance Cr. and crushed the rebellion. Simon did not stop with these rebellious activities, however. The Friends did not swear oaths, but in 1779, in the middle of the Revolutionary War, he signed an oath of allegiance to the new American government, so he qualifies to be recognized by the Daughters of the American Revolution as a patriot (see below). However, the Society of Friends located at Cane Creek required him to renounce this involvement and his “drinking to excess” before giving him a certificate of membership at the Deep River Monthly Meeting on the 2nd day, 10th month, 1779.

In 1772, he bought land in Surry County, same state, but his land is now located in present-day Yadkin County, which was formed in 1850, long after he died. Records show he owned 1000 acres on North Deep Cr. (see below). He gradually settled into the Society’s way of life.

He wrote wills for his neighbors, provided a home for their orphaned children, and helped lay out roads. When Deep Creek Monthly Meeting was set off from Deep River Monthly Meeting … he became one of the leaders in the new monthly meeting. He was chosen to be the first recorder of births, deaths and marriages; the earliest meeting records are in his flowing hand. He appears many times as a representative to quarterly meetings. 1794-11mo, he was appointed to ‘transcribe and correct the minutes of this meeting into a new book.’ 1798-08mo he was one of a committee to visit ‘the little meeting of Friends held at Hunting Creek which is not kept up as much to the honour of truth and society as desired.’ In the 12th month of that year he was appointed to read testimonies of disownment after the First Day Meeting.

Simon Hadley died on his plantation on North Deep Cr., on the 24th day, 3rd month, 1803. He was buried in the Deep Creek Friends Cemetery, his grave site marked by a crude stone. Bridget died on the 15th day, 12th month, 1807. She was buried in the same place; a marker is no longer readable today, but it was recorded in 1960. It reads: “B. Hadley d. 1807.”

BRIDGET FOOTE

As noted, I have not been able to track Bridget’s family line. If she descends from John Foote and Ann Hawkesworth, then she (and we) has Mayflower ancestry through her mother. But as of right now I cannot confirm or deny that.

If you would like to dig around in the roots of that tree, here are some links to the Foote Family Association.

Simon Hadley and Thomas Hadley, Jr. swear an oath that John Holcomb, decd. made his last will and testament

17 November 1786

Simon Hadley and Thomas Hadley (and Samuel Calloway) are ordered to view the road from Hill’s Iron Works on Elkins to begin near Henderson’s old place, road leads from Scritchfield Ford to Shallowford above John Martin near Chestnut Hill

13 February 1787

Deed from John Pettyjohn to Thomas Hadley; oath John Martin

16 February 1788

Ordered that Thomas Hadley be overseer on road from MacAnally’s Ford to Reuben George’s old place, in room (place) of Thomas Neil

Simon Hadley and Thomas Hadley (and Samuel Calloway) are ordered to view the road from Hill’s Iron Works on Elkins to begin near Henderson’s old place, road leads from Scritchfield Ford to Shallowford above John Martin near Chestnut Hill

13 February 1787

Deed from John Pettyjohn to Thomas Hadley; oath John Martin

5. SIMON JR. (1766-1831)

He married Mary Spencer on 9 Jan. 1786, in Surry County, North Carolina; bond was John Martain (sic).

Many of the records in the next major section could belong to Simon Jr., not Simon Sr.

Here are some that belong to Jr.:

Grants and Deeds

13 November 1804

A deed from John Ashkew to Simon Lakey; Henry Speer, who is well acquainted with the handwriting of Simon Hadley, now decd., one of the subscribing witnesses to the deed, believes that Simon Hadley had signed the deed, which is ordered to be good and registered

Tax Records

1815

Simon Hadley’s land adjoins widow Carter’s land on Deep Cr. in Capt. Peter Dowel’s District

Thomas Hadley, Esq. has 600 acs. and adjoins Simon Hadley’s land on Deed Cr.; his land also adjoins Thomas Dobbins’ land; Hadley’s land is valued at $2000; 1 white polled and two blacks

The last will and testament of Simon Hadley, decd. was proved in open court by the affirmation of Joseph Key and Wm Hobson, subscribing witnesses; George Reynolds is an executor; fee of $1.00 paid

6. RUTH (1770-1852)

She married (1) Joseph Martin and (2) Joseph Keyes.

7. RACHEL (1773 or 1773-1775)

She lived not even a month, or she lived two years.

SIMON HADLEY’S RECORDS IN NORTH CAROLINA

In 1850, long after Simon and Bridget Hadley lived, Yadkin County was formed out of the southern part of Surry County, where Simon Hadley had lived. His records, however, are still housed in Surry County.

Simon Hadley is called to serve on the jury second Monday in May (Stephen Clayton is on list too)

14 May 1781: Richmond

Simon Hadley and Thomas Hadley, Jr. swear an oath that John Holcomb, decd. made his last will and testament

17 November 1786

Simon Hadley and Thomas Hadley (and Samuel Calloway) are ordered to view the road from Hill’s Iron Works on Elkins to begin near Henderson’s old place, road leads from Scritchfield Ford to Shallowford above John Martin near Chestnut Hill

10 November 1801

Joel Lakey’s deed to Thomas Thornton was proved in open court by affirmation of Simon Hadley Sr. and ordered to be registered; $6.00 paid

9 February 1802

Ordered by the court that David Harvey Richard Campbell, son of John Campbell, who has absconded from his family for upwards two years past, aged five years, the 20th Jan’y the last past be bound unto Simon Hadley until he be 21 years of age to learn the art of a farmer; the said Simon Hadley agrees one year’s schooling and ten pounds in money and usual freedom clothing; $6.00 paid

Ordered by the court that seven-year-old Ann Campbell, daughter of John and Sarah Campbell, be bound to Simon Hadley Sr., until she reaches 18; the said Simon Hadley Sr. agrees to give her one year of schooling, one flax spinning wheel, and new suit of freedom clothes, besides her other clothing $6.00 paid

17 February 1803

Simon Hadley [Sr. or Jr.?] and others are appointed to serve on a jury at next court

9 May 1803

Simon Hadley [Sr. or Jr.?] and others are to be fined an unspecified amount for missing out on jury duty

10 May 1803

Simon Hadley [Sr. or Jr.?] is one of several witnesses

10 May 1803

Simon Hadley’s last will and testament, decd. proved by the affirmation of Daniel Huff and Moses Adams, two witnesses thereto; Thomas and Simon Hadley qualified according to law; letters testamentary issued; $8.00 paid

11 May 1803

David Harvey Richard Campbell, an orphan formerly bound to Simon Hadley, decd., now to be bound to Thomas Hadley, Esq., until he arrives unto 21 years old; Thomas agrees to abide by the terms of the former indenture that have not already been performed

11 May 1803

Uriah Dean, son of Fanny Dean, a base born child formerly bound to Simon Hadley, decd. is to be bound to Thomas Hadley, Esq., until he reaches age of 21; all terms of the previous indenture to be fulfilled; the boy was 6 years old the first of Sept. 1791; he was to receive one year of schooling, a horse and saddle worth £12 and a new suit of clothes at his freedom; and he is to learn the art of farming

11 May 1803

Ordered that Ann Campbell, daughter of John and Sarah Campbell, formerly bound unto Simon Hadley, decd., now be bound to Simon Hadley, son of deceased, until she reaches 18 years old; Simon Hadley is to comply in every respect with the former indenture; the girl was bound over in 1802 court May or August; the boy in 1802

10 February 1808

Last will and testament of Bridget Hadley, decd., was proven in open court by the affirmation of William Hough and William Hinshaw, two of the subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded; no executor qualified

10 February 1808

Inventory and appraisement of estate of Bridget Hadley, decd., was returned to court by Aaron Speer and ordered to be recorded

5 May 1808

Thomas Hadley, Esq. is qualified to be the executor of will of Bridget Hadley, decd., the will being approved last court

The first day of ye third month in ye year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and three. I Simon Hadley sen’r of ye State of North Carolina in Surry County, being sound in mind and memory do make and ordain this [caret in: to be] my last will and testament and doth dispose of my Estate in ye following manner and form (To wit):

First of all my debts and funeral charges must be paid.

And as I have give [sic] my son Thomas Hadley 310 acres of land off the upper part of the plantation I now live on; I maintain ye same good as far as ye Original Grant will enable me and leave him one half of all my wearing apparel to be freely enjoyed by him.

Item

I give to my son Simon Hadly jun’r all ye tract of land I now live on containing three hundred and thirty acres with all ye appertenances [sic] thereunto belonging by him freely to be possessed and enjoyed except ye cleared land that is of this north side of ye creek that I hold by fence lines with handy firewood and rail timber. I reserve for my wife to live on her lifetime without any interruption and then to be his lawful property without any let hindrance or molestation; likewise I give him one half of all my wearing apparel to be freely enjoyed by him.

Item

I give and it is my will that my beloved wife Bridget Hadley shall have the whole of my Personal estate except what is hereafter mentioned [during] her life time without rendering any account to any person or persons whatsoever and at her death to divide it among my four daughters hereafter named as she thinks most convenient and they desire it. And further it is my will that my executors shall sell as much as my personal Estate such [careted in: as] my wife can best spare as will pay of [sic] ye following legacies (to wit)

First of all I give to my son-in-law Thomas Lakey one English crown his whole legacy, and to his wife Ann Lakey twenty-five silver dollars or currency at ye exchange to be freely enjoyed by her;

Secondly I five to my son-in-law Frances Baker one English crown his whole legacy, and to his wife Patience Baker twenty-five silver dollars or currency at exchange to be freely enjoyed by her.

Thirdly I give to my son-in-law John Martin and his wife Margaret Martin twenty-six silver Dollars freely to be enjoyed by them.

And further it is my will that my Grandsons John and Simon Martin shall have ye plantation of two hundred acres of land lying and being on ye North fork of deep creek, joining George D. Holcomb line with all ye appertenances [sic] thereunto belonging by them freely to be possessed and enjoyed without any let, hindrance or molestation with this reserve that their father John Martin sen’r [carted in: may] if he chooses sell said land and divide it as he thinks best between said sons.

Likewise, I constitute, make, and ordain my two sons Thomas and Simon Hadley my only and sole executors of this my last will and Testament utterly revoking all other wills, legacies, or Executors before this time nominated, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my Last will and testament.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal ye day and year above written.

Simon Hadley

Signed, sealed, and delivered by ye said Simon Hadly [sic] as his last will and testament in ye presents [sic] of us the underneath subscribers

Joshua Hadly
Daniel D [his mark] Hough

Mos. Adams

State of North Carolina Surry County [cut off] Daniel Hough and Moses Adams two of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing last will and testament of Simon Hadly [sic] made affirmation that they saw the said Hadly [sic] sign, publish and declare the same to be his last will and testament, that he was of sound and disposing mind and memory: which was ordered to be recorded.

Recorded accordingly by D J Williams Cl [Clerk]

Transcription ends.

Bridget’s Will

May 17, 1803, Surry County, Will Book 3, pp. 80-81

Transcription begins:

This seventeenth day of the fifth month in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & three; I Bridget Hadly [sic] (widow of Simon Hadly, disceast [sic] of North Carolina in Surry County being in sound mind and memory do mak [sic] & ordain this my last will and testament and doth dispose of my estate in the following manner and form, to wit:

First of all my debts and funeral charges must be paid.

I give unto my son Thomas Hadly [sic] one English crown to be freely enjoyed by him.

2’only I give unto my son Simon Hadly [sic] one English crown to be freely enjoyed by him being their whole legacies of my estate.

It is also [careted in: my] will & I hereby order that the whole of my estate that remains at my diseas [sic] be equally divided between my four Daughters, namely Ann Lakey, Patience Baker, Margaret Martin, and Ruth Marshall, each of them freely to enjoy the same.

Likewise I constitute, make, and ordain my son Thomas & son-in-law Joseph Marshall my only & sole Executors of this my last will and testament utterly revoking all other wills, legacies, and Executors before this time nominated, ratifying this and no other to be my last will and testament.

In witness whereof I have [careted in: here] unto set my hand and seal the date above written.

Bridget (X) Hadly [sic]

Signed, sealed and delivered by the said Bridget Hadly [sic] as her last will and testament in presence of us the underneath Subscribers

William Hough
William Hinshaw
John Stanfield

State of North Carolina, Surry County, February Session AD 1808

William Hough and William Hinshaw (two of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing last will and testament of Bridget Hadly [sic] made Affirmation that they saw the said Hadly [sic] sign, publish, and declare the same to be her last will and testament, that she was of sound and disposing mind and memory and at the same time they saw John Stanfield sign as a witness thereunto; which was ordered to be recorded.

Recorded accordingly by Jo. William CC [Clerk of Court]

Transcription ends.

During the transcription of these two wills, especially Bridget Hadley’s since the copy was of poor quality, we glanced over at Thomas D. Hamm’s transcription in The Quaker Yeoman, Volume 13, Number 5, January 1987.

SUMMARY

Many people have researched the Hadleys, and there is even a Hadley Society. Researchers have especially focused on this Simon. The Introduction to this chapter outlines his life from those researchers.

So what follows is brief.

Simon grew up in a privileged household. His father was a son of a judge. Simon lived with him in Delaware until his death in 1756 and remained there until his move in 1762 or 1763 to Orange and Surry Counties, North Carolina.

He was a nonconformist about his Quaker upbringing. He married Bridget Foote in a Swedish Church in Delaware, an act that placed him out of unity with the Society of Friends. When he moved to North Carolina, he joined the regulators, though his Society did not allow violence. He swore an oath to the new American government, though his Society does not permit oaths. He had to renounce this old way of life. The Quakers accepted him back in their strict community. Then he settled down, getting involved in people’s lives, like recording their births and marriages and taking in orphans.

They died in 1803 (Simon) and 1807 (Bridget). By all accounts they seemed happy after he settled down.

We examine their daughter Anne’s life, as she marries into the Leakey (Lakey / Lackey) family. So we leave behind the Hadley name from here on.